Panel construction

ABSTRACT

A GENERALLY T-SHAPED PREFABRICATED WALL PANEL. THE CROSSBAR OF THE T HAS AN OFFSET PORTION AT ONE END AND A PAIR OF LIMBS AT THE OTHER END WHICH DEFINE A CONTINUOUS GROOVE. AN OUTWARDLY PROJECTING THIRD LIMB IS CONNECTED TO ONE LIMB WHICH DEFINES A PART OF THE GROOVE. THE END OF THE UPSTANDING MEMBER OF THE T OPPOSITE THE CROSSBAR HAS A PAIR OF BRANCHES WHICH DEFINES A CONTINUOUS GROOVE. TWO LIKE WALL PANELS ARE JOINED BY INSERTING THE OFFSET PORTION OF ONE PANEL INTO THE GROOVE DEFINED BY THE PAIR OF LIMBS OF THE OTHER PANEL. WHEN THE PANELS ARE SO JOINED, THEIR CROSSBARS ARE IN THE SAME PLANE. A THIRD LIKE PANEL IS CONNECTED TO THE FIRST TWO PANELS BY CONTACTING THE THIRD LIMB OF THE THIRD PANEL TO THE GROOVE DEFINED BY THE PAIR OF BRANCHES OF ANY OF ONE OF THE OTHER TWO PANELS, THEN SCREWING OR SPOT WELDING THE CONTACTING SURFACES TOGETHER. WHEN THE THIRD PANEL IS SO CONNECTED, ITS CROSSBAR DEFINES A WALL PARALLEL TO AND SPACED APART FROM THE WALL DEFINED BY THE CROSSBARS OF THE FIRST TWO PANELS.

NOV. 9, 1971 H|| L ET AL 3,618,281

PANEL CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. :3, 1970 Inventors ARNOLD E. HILL "0- D G. HILL United States Patent US. Cl. 52-404 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A generally T-shaped prefabricated wall panel. The crossbar of the T has an offset portion at one end and a pair of limbs at the other end which define a continuous groove. An outwardly projecting third limb is connected to one limb which defines a part of the groove. The end of the upstanding member of the T opposite the crossbar has a pair of branches which define a continuous groove. Two like wall panels are joined by inserting the offset portion of one panel into the groove defined by the pair of limbs of the other panel. When the panels are so joined, their crossbars are in the same plane. A third like panel is connected to the first two panels by contacting the third limb of the third panel to the groove defined by the pair of branches of any one of the other two panels, then screwing or spot welding the contacting surfaces together. When the third panel is so connected, its crossbar defines a wall parallel to and spaced apart from the wall defined by the crossbars of the first two panels.

This invention relates to building constructions and is particularly directed to pre-fabricated wall and partition panels.

It is well known to construct walls, doors and partitions of a number of building panels. These known structures however exhibit numerous disadvantages. For example, they require nails or other fasteners to secure the panels together and generally employ intermediate studs sandwiched between the panels to provide additional structural support. Further, these structures require skilled labor to assemble, are relatively complex and expensive.

It is accordingly an object to provide an improved panel construction.

It is another object to provide an economical panel construction having a minimum of parts and which can be quickly and easily assembled.

It is another object to provide a panel construction in which all bolt fastenings are concealed.

Another object is to provide a panel construction which has the ability to support a substantially load.

A further object is to provide a panel construction in which a number of identical panel members can be quickly and easily assembled.

Another object is to provide an insulating panel construction which is quickly and easily assembled.

These and other objects may be accomplished by providing a panel member for use in combination with other like members to form a wall, each panel member including an elongated flange having a substantially planar intermediate portion, an L-shaped portion defining one lateral edge of the flange, the portion having first and second legs, the first leg extending from the planar portion to the second leg, a pair of spaced apart limbs, and a third limb offset from one of the spaced apart limbs, the three limbs defining the other lateral edge of the flange, the spaced apart limbs defining a groove for receipt of a second leg of a like panel member; and an elongated web extending perpendicularly from the intermediate portion of the flange and parallel to the lateral edges thereof to define a structure having a substantially T-shaped cross-section, the edge of the web remote from the flange terminating in a pair of opposed branches which together define a slot.

A fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following descriptions and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a number of panel members each member disposed vertically to form a wall;

FIG. 2 is another plan view showing the manner in which a wall and partition formed of panel members may be joined;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a single panel member;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a wall or partition; and

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the wall and a footing.

Like reference characters refer tolike parts throughout the description of the drawing.

With reference to FIG. 1, the illustrated panel construction is composed of a plurality of panel members, indicated generally '10, and corner elements indicated generally 11 and 12. Each member 10 includes a flange 13, and the flanges of connected members 10 combine to define the interior and exterior surfaces of a building wall or partition. In FIG. 2, one way in which panel members forming the wall of a building can be connected to a partition is illustrated.

With reference to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a plan view of an embodiment of panel member 10 according to the invention. Preferably member 10 is formed of metallic material such as aluminum which may be quickly and inexpensively extruded or moulded in any particular form. Member 10- may also be formed of plastic material. As depicted, member 10 is substantially T-shaped in cross-section and includes a flange 13 or cross-bar of the T, and an integrally formed, substantially perpendicular stern portion or web '14.

Flange 13 is composed of a substantially planar intermediate portion 16, an L-shaped portion 18 which defines one lateral edge of flange 13 and limbs 20, 22 and 24 define the other lateral edge of flange 13. L-shaped portion 18 is composed of legs 26 and 28, leg 26 extending from intermediate portion 16 of leg 28. At the opposite side of flange 1-3, limbs 20 and 22 are spaced apart from one another to define a groove 30 and limb 24 is connected to. but offset from, limb 22.

Web 14 extends substantially parallel to the lateral edges of flange 13. At the edge of web 14 remote from flange 12 is a pair of opposed branches 32 and 34. As seen, branches 32 and 34 combine to define a continuous slot 36 and preferably the slot is threaded along the entire length thereof.

As seen in FIG. 4, panel members 10 interconnect to form a continuous panel construction. Members 10a and 10b are arranged so that leg 28 of member 10a fits into the corresponding groove 30 of member 10b. When members 10a and 10b are so arranged, flanges 13 of both members are coplanar and form a continuous surface. Members 10a and 10b are connected to member by passing a screw or bolt 38 into threaded slot 36 of member 100.

With further reference to FIG. 4, in the assembly of the panel construction, the assembly conveniently takes place from right to left. Member 10d is first placed in position, then member 10b is positioned so that the free edges of forks 32 and 34 contact the face of limb 24. Holes are then drilled along the length of limb 24 where desired and a bolt is passed through each hole and into threaded engagement with slot 36 of member 10b. Member 10d is thus secured to member 10b. Leg 28 of member 100 is then inserted into groove 30 of member 10d to secure member 100 in position. Holes are then drilled into limb 24 of member b and a bolt 38 is passed through each hole and into threaded slot 36. It will be understood that as slot 36 of each member 10 is continuously threaded along its length, it is unnecessary to match drill holes in pre-determined locations in limb 24 as holes may be drilled anywhere along the length of limb 24.

A channel may be used to cap the members at the top of the wall or partition. Ceiling or roof joists may be secured to the channel by any convenient means.

Instead of employing bolts or screws 38 for securing members 10 together, the members may be joined together by continuously or spot welding branches 32 and 34 of each member to, limbs 24 in contact therewith. Other means for joining members together will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

The assembly of the panel construction is therefore quite simple and a continuous wall is formed by placing each member 10 in turn in position, drilling holes in limb 24 of each member where desired and passing a bolt through each hole and into the threaded slot of the member in contact with the limb. When assembled, the panel construction is composed of a pair of spaced parallel panels defined by flanges 12 of the members. The distance between the panels will depend upon the length of webs 14 of the members. Insulation may be secured in the space between the panels and so also may pipes and electrical wires. Thus the panel assembly may be used to form both walls and Partitions of a building.

Walls or partitions made up of such panel members have the ability to support a substantial load. For example the allowable column load of a bearing wall composed of 0.125 inch gauge aluminum panel members where the bearing wall is 8 feet in height and 2 inches thick (the distance between flanges measured along the web) is in excess of 7.8 tons per lineal foot.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the corner of a building may be formed by means of corner elements 11 and 12. Element 12 is composed of members 40 and 42.

Member 42 is a panel member 10 from which web 14 and L-shaped portion 18 have been removed. To form the illustrated member 40, a panel member 10 is taken and limbs 20, 22 and 24 are removed from the lateral end of the flange. A planar extension is then attached to the member at the lateral end. It is preferred however that the member at the corner be so positioned that there is no necessity for an extension. Thus if reference is made to FIG. 1, web 14a will be spaced a smaller distance apart from member 42 than that illustrated. If limbs 20, 22 and 24 are removed from member 40, the free lateral edge of the member will contact member 42 and there will be no necessity for an extension. Preferably elements 40 and 42 are connected by welding. Similarly element 11 is composed of portions of one or two panel members. As shown, elements 11 and 12 are connected to contiguous panel members in the same manner as are contiguous panel members 10.

With reference to FIG. 2, elements 47 and 48 are employed to join panel members forming exterior walls with members forming partitions. Elements 47 and 48 are merely portions of panels which are cut along the length thereof. The severed edges are placed in contact with flange 13. To hold elements 47 and 48 in contact with flange 13, use is made of angles 49 and 50. The angles are disposed in abutting contact with the corners defined by flanges 13 and elements 47 and 48. The angles may be bolted or welded to the elements 47 and 48 and flange 13.

In place of elements 40, 42, 46, 47, and 48 use may be made of a vertically disposed angle shaped or channel shaped member for joining a planar member 16 of a Wall to a planar member of a partition.

With reference to FIG. 5 the manner in which a wall composed of panel members is secured to a footing is illustrated. Angles 51 and 52 are secured to footing 54 by means of bolts and nuts 56 and panel members are bolted to angles 51 and 52.

It will be seen that a number of like panel members will stack readily substantially without deformation. In addition, where the panels make up a wall, there is a division between the exterior and interior surface of the wall and very simple precautions will ensure that condensation forming on the exterior surface will not pass to the interior surface. Moreover by use of such panel members, bolt fastenings are concealed.

What we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A panel member including: an elongated flange having a substantially planar intermediate portion, an L- shaped portion defining one lateral edge of said flange, said L-shaped portion having first and second legs, said first leg extending from said planar portion to said second leg, a pair of spaced apart limbs, and a third limb olfset from one of said spaced apart limbs, said three limbs defining the other lateral edge of said flange, said spaced apart limbs defining a groove for receipt of a second leg of a like panel member; and an elongated web extending perpendicularly from the intermediate portion of said flange and parallel to the lateral edges thereof to define a structure having a substantially T-shaped cross-section, the edge of said web remote from said flange terminating in a pair of opposed branches which together define a slot; said slot being continuously threaded.

2. A panel construction comprising a plurality of panel members each including: an elongated flange having a substantially planar intermediate portion, an L-shaped portion defining one lateral edge of said flange, said L-shaped portion having first and second legs, said first leg extending from said planar portion to said second leg, a pair of spaced apart limbs, and a third limb offset from one of said spaced apart limbs, said three limbs defining the other lateral edge of said flange, said spaced apart limbs defining a groove; and an elongated web extending perpendicularly from the intermediate portion of said flange and parallel to the lateral edges thereof to define a structure having a substantially T-shaped cross-section, the edge of said web remote from said flange terminating in a pair of opposed branches which together define a slot; said slot being continuously threaded, said panel members being connected together by inserting a second leg of one memher into the groove defined by the spaced apart limbs of a second like member and by securing the branches of the first member to the third limb of a third like member.

3. The panel construction according to claim 2 wherein each said panel member contains insulating material.

4. The panel construction according to claim 2 further including a plurality of bolts each passing through an aperture formed in the third limb of each panel member and into the threaded slot in contact with said third limb.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,289,375 12/1966 Cline 52570 X FOREIGN PATENTS 645,852 1950 Great Britain 52593 1,511,292 1968 France 52593 OTHER REFERENCES Netherlands application 6618125, June 30, 1967 F.H.A.

JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

